Stephen F. Austin State University SFA 101 Freshman Seminar Section 62 MW 1 1:50pm Location: Alumni Center Meeting Room Class Syllabus

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1 Stephen F. Austin State University SFA 101 Freshman Seminar Section 62 MW 1 1:50pm Location: Meeting Room Class Syllabus Instructor: Cossich Student Instructor: Whitney Cameron Office: Rusk 206 Phone: Cell: Cell: cossichm@sfasu.edu cameronwj@titan.sfasu.edu Office Hours: Immediately after class or by appointment Course Description: SFA Freshman Seminar, is designed to increase student success in college. Topics include academic integrity, accessing and evaluating information, campus and community service opportunities, learning strategies, SFA history and traditions, personal survival skills, university resources, university rules and procedures, the value of a college education, and working with peers, faculty and staff. While ultimate responsibility for success in college rests in the student s hands, the Freshman Seminar course can help you have a successful freshman year. Student Learning Outcomes: At the completion of the course, the student will be able to ACADEMIC INTERGRITY 1. Take personal responsibility for honesty in the student s personal and academic life. 2. Avoid becoming intentionally or unintentionally involved in academic misconduct. ACCESSING AND EVALUATING INFORMATION 1. Read and think critically 2. Be able to recognize the student s learning style 3. Be able to find adequate information through internet, print, and other resources. 4. Know the difference between adequate and inadequate information CAMPUS AND COMMUITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES 1. Get involved in activities and organizations on campus. 2. Get involved in activities that promote social responsibility and service learning in the community. COLLEGE CLASSROOM LEARNING STRATEGIES 1. Understand and exhibit the student s most effective ways to learn. 2. Know how to deal with test anxiety. 3. Gain knowledge of useful test-taking skills that satisfy the student s learning strategies. OVERVIEW UNIVERSITY RESOURCES 1. Know the university resources available, their location and what services are offered in the department PERSONAL SURVIVAL SKILLS 1. Fully understand the value of time management and how to avoid procrastination. 2. Understand the concepts of money management and the consequences of making the wrong decisions. 3. Realize the effects of sexual behavior and the lifetime consequences of their effects. 4. Realize the effects of alcohol and drug use and the lifetime consequences of their effects. 1

2 5. Be able to identify stressors in your life, the effects of unhealthy amounts of stress, and realize how to cope with stressors. SFA HISTORY, TRADITIONS, AND PRIDE 1. Know the important aspects of life of Stephen F. Austin State University 2. Get involved in some of the events around campus that will become a tradition for future students. 3. Understand why we say that a true Lumberjack bleeds PURPLE. TRUE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION 1. Place value on the student s education in terms of grades and expenses. 2. Make successful choices regarding the student s college education. UNIVERSITY RULES AND PROCEDURES 1. Navigate the University s General Bulletin and identify the policies that relate to the student s academic major. 2. Comprehend the University s Rule and Procedures, particularly those relating to Academia. WORKING SUCCESSFULLY WITH PEERS, FACULTY, AND STAFF 1. Interact with professors both inside and outside of the classroom setting. 2. Positively and successfully interact with all University Staff. 3. Create positive and successful relationships with peers. Class Readings and Materials: All students will receive a handbook, SFA 101 Freshman Success Handbook at the beginning of the semester, along with occasional handouts as the course progresses. Information from the handbook and the handouts will be used for class discussions and quizzes. SFA 101 Newsletter will also be used and can be found at Make sure you read the assignments and understand them before the class period for which they are assigned. Course methods and activities: You will participate in class in the following ways: Small group discussion Whole class discussion Guest speakers Visits to campus locations Videos Games and exercises Illustrated lecture Individual conferences Please check your Titan account regularly. is the official communication tool of Stephen F. Austin State University and is used to communicate important reminders, announcements, and further assignment directions. Early Alert Program: Students who do not attend class regularly, are disruptive in class or who perform poorly on class projects/exams may be referred to the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other assistance that are available to help SFA students succeed. 2

3 Grading: SFA 101 is a graded course. Passing this course will give you one semester hour of credit that can be applied towards the total number of credits you need to graduate. Total possible points for course: 400 points The grading scale used in this class is as follows: points = A points = B points = C points = D 237 points and below = F Class Absences = Minus 1 point each. You are expected to attend class and attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken during each class period. Every absence that you incur will result in a deduction of 1 point from your final grade, regardless of the reason for your absence. If you have an official university event with appropriate documentation or an official doctor s documentation, you will be allowed to earn the 1 point by doing something extra as determined by the instructor or student instructor. NOTE: The instructor will hold a drawing during the last class period - December 1st. Students who do not miss any class periods regardless of the reason will be eligible to participate in the drawing. A $50.00 cash prize will be given to the winner. Names of eligible students will be put in the drawing. Conferences = 40 points. Two individual conferences with the instructor or the student instructor will be scheduled. These are important and each session counts for 20 points. Outside Events = 60 points. You will be required to attend three (3) outside events sponsored by SFA. These events will count for 20 points each for a total of 60 points for outside event attendance. (1) Required: Freshman Convocation William R. Johnson Coliseum September 2 4:30pm Doors Open and Event Begins at 5:00pm Attendance is mandatory bring your ticket to the event and turn it in with your name printed on the ticket this is how you will receive points for the event. (2) Required: SFA Academic Event of your choice More information about academic events given during class periods; flyers are posted on campus about events; SFA website announces events; the instructor and student instructor will do their best to announce various; check the SFA Fine Arts calendar for plays or concerts Proof of attendance is required in order to receive points (3) Required: SFA Athletic Event or Campus Recreation event of your choice Provide documentation that you attended the event such as: ticket stub or program; check out the SFA Athletic home page or Campus Recreation website for a schedule of games and events. 3

4 Assignments 50 points each for a total of 150 points- (1) Peer Involvement Advising Make an appointment with a peer involvement counselor in the SFA Involvement Center. The center is located in the Baker Pattillo Student Center first floor. The Involvement Center offers Peer Involvement Advising which matches involved students with students seeking involvement to find opportunities that match the student s interest and goals. To make an appointment for a Peer Involvement Advising session, stop by the center and speak with a desk worker between 8am and 5pm. You will receive documentation of your visit. After the visit, write a one-page paper on your experience. Include what activities or organizations were suggested, your impression of the experience and how you plan to use this information to make your SFA experience better. a. Format for this paper: 1 page, 1 margins on all sides, Times 12-point font, double spaced, name at top right of first page, all pages stapled together, must use a word processing program no hand written assignments accepted. You are expected to use proper grammar, spelling and writing techniques. (2) Academic Assistance Resource Center You are required to visit the center 5 times during the semester for assistance with academic course work. The visits can be in the form of individual tutoring sessions, walk-in tables, supplemental instruction or any other type of tutoring that the AARC offers. You must ask the tutor for a pink slip which will verify you attended a session. Turn in all 5 pink slips in order to receive credit. Since you are required to visit 5 times during the semester, this assignment is due on December 1 st. (3) Study Habits/Learning Style Plan Paper Describe and outline your study plan for your first year at SFA. The plan should include specific study tips you plan to use. This paper should briefly discuss your learning style as outlined in the in-class exercise Learning Styles Assessment. You are to utilize the following resources: Class discussion on September 23 and September 27; presentation on Studying Stupid conducted at the Academic Assistance Resource Center on September 15; handouts given in class and the SFA 101 Handbook. You will be graded on the following: format, discussion about your specific learning style, specific study tips, examples you will try this year, and the overall discussion on study tips/learning styles. You are expected to use proper grammar, spelling and writing techniques. a. Format for this paper: 2 pages, 1 margins on all sides, Times 12-point font, single line spacing, name at top right of first page, all pages stapled together, must use a word processing program no hand written assignments accepted Quizzes = 50 points - There will be five unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. Each quiz will be worth ten points each. Items on the quizzes will be things that have been discussed in class, handouts, reading materials, items in the SFA 101 Freshman Success Handbook or information in the SFA 101 Newsletter. Name Game Assignment = 50 points Students will be expected to learn names of all classmates. Students will be required to recite all classmate names by November 29 th. Students may notify the instructor when they are ready to complete this assignment. Points will be deducted if names can not be recited. 4

5 Course Celebration (aka: final exam) = 50 points - Only one celebration (December 1) will be given during the semester. It will include true/false, multiple choice, and short essay items. The celebration will be based on material from assigned readings and class discussions. There is no final celebration during finals period at the end of the semester. Class Expectations: Following these general expectations will help everyone make the most of our SFA 101 class. Attend every class. Stay in touch with a class partner if you must miss a class. Visit with the student instructor immediately after missing a class. Read assigned material and turn in assignments when due. Turn off cell phones while in class and put them away. Check your SFA assigned account often. The instructor, student instructor and SFA administrators will communicate with you via your mysfa . Students will enter class on time with a positive attitude. Students will not wear hats/caps in class. Students will not wear any type of clothing, button, pins, etc that advertises another university. The only collegiate clothing that can be worn in class is SFA related. Students are expected to live The SFA Way by striving for personal excellence in everything they do. Course complaints: Any college course complaints or problems should first be discussed with the instructor for the particular course. Difficulties can usually be resolved there. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the next person to see is the appropriate department chairperson. For SFA 101, the chairperson is Dr. Tim Clipson (Steen Library Second Floor Room 203L, phone ). Students with Disabilities: To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, / (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to Withheld grades (A-54): Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average. Academic integrity (A-9.1): Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism. 5

6 Definition of Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due credit. Please read the complete policy at Students not complying with SFA s academic dishonesty regulations will be given a failing grade in this course and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Acceptable student behavior: Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (see the Student Conduct Code, policy D-34.1). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. Students who do not attend class regularly or who perform poorly on class projects/exams may be referred to the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other assistance that is available to help SFA students succeed. Important University Dates: Please refer to the bulletin and SFA website ( for important dates. Class Calendar: This course requires some occasional flexibility. Evening events and weekly topics are sometimes rescheduled as necessary to accommodate guest speakers and the instructor s schedule. If such changes are needed, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you miss class when changes to the calendar are discussed, you are responsible for finding out what changes were discussed prior to the next class period. This includes changes to the location of the class. 6

7 Fall 2010 SFA 101 Tentative Calendar of Class Topics ( ) Class Date Topic Notes and Class Location August 30 Syllabus, Ice Breakers, Expectations, first day problems, cell phone sheet First Class Day Yippeee! September 1 September 6 September 8 September 13 September 15 Continue syllabus discussion, Freshman Convocation discussion and journal entry, Ice Breaker SFA Closed Labor Day SFA Traditions Game Show Traditions Council No Class Individual meeting with Whitney or sometime this week Stupid Studying Study Skills presentation Academic Assistance Recourse Center Ice Breaker - Ice Breaker - Whitney Be safe and enjoy Whitney NOTE: Sign up for individual meetings Check in with Whitney Library First Floor Lobby September 20 September 22 September 27 September 29 The SFA Way introduction Academic Integrity Discussion College learning strategies learning styles, study skills and test taking College learning strategies learning styles, study skills and test taking CONTINUED No formal class Visit SFA Involvement center sometime this week Involvement Center assignment is due: October 4th October 4 October 6 October 11 October 13 October 18 October 20 October 25 October 27 November 1 Campus Involvement Discussion Visit to the Involvement Center assignment due Whitney lead discussion on getting involved with academics No More Monkeys Time Management Academic Assistance Resource Center Note: Index cards and topics University Rules, Procedures and Resources Note: Bulletins needed Wild Card Class input on progress thus far topics discussed based on class needs University Police Services of the department: Drugs: Alcohol Registration Information; Services of the Registrar s Office; GPA calculation Accessing and Evaluating Information Relationship Building Working Successfully with other Money Management Whitney ME McWilliams - Guest Library First Floor Lobby Check in with Whitney Whitney Angelia Crocker Rusk Visitor Center 2nd Floor Whitney Commercial Bank 7

8 November 3 November 8 November 10 November 15 November 17 November 22 November 24 November 29 December 1 Pending Personal Survival: Fitness, Eating Right, Stress Community Involvement Mental Health and Wellness Suicide Prevention Training QPR Training Value of Education No Class SFA Closed Happy Thanksgiving General Discussion about first semester Celebration Discussion must be in class in order to be eligible to take the celebration Name Game Assignment Final Celebration Due Perfect Attendance Drawing Outside Activities due Academic and Nonacademic Pending United Way Jill Milem Pending Individual meeting with either Whitney or Be Thankful! Rusk Visitor Center Second Floor 8

9 Name: SFA 101 Section 62 Fall 2010 Grade Tracking Sheet Class Absences: Record dates you missed class and subtract 1 point per class missed Individual Conference #1: Individual Conference #2 Outside Event: Convocation (ticket must be turned in at event) Outside Event: Academic Outside Event: Athletic/Campus Recreation Assignment: Study Habits/Plan/Learning Style Assignment: Academic Assistance Resource Center visits Assignment: Involvement Center meeting and paper Quiz #1: Quiz #2 Quiz #3 Quiz #4 Quiz #5 Name Game Assignment One celebration Grading Scale points = A points = B points = C points = D 237 points and below = F 9